The Mark of the Wild Flower

Chapter One, The Letter.

I always liked going to school ever since I smelled that sweet scent of rosemary and lemon that one day at school. It took about two years for me to identify the scent but I did it. It got stronger as I grew older. And that was honestly some days my only motivator.

Today I am turning 18. I am not excited. 2 years ago, today, Lika passed away. Turned out the leather in dad’s car was not the problem but the tumour in her brain. When she was about 13, she started fainting around school and home. Mom freaked out and took her to a doctor. But because we’re wolves we can’t go to any doctor so, we took her to the pack doctor and needless to say he was fired.

I always wished my dad was not a such a cunt, and have taken her to a proper doctor, instead of the shaman the pack called a doctor. He said everything will be better when she turned, but it wasn’t. Endless chemo and endless nights Craig and I cried on her bed in the hospital. On her 18th birthday she shifted and was too weak to shift back. Dad didn’t want us to be there outside since it was supposed to be private, but Craig and I felt different, we wanted to be there, with her, to help her. We even suggested that we prevent her shift to save her, but father was insistent. She was supposed to be the next Luna and he was convinced she’ll be okay, because Lunas are always stronger than the rest, and how can she be a good leader if she doesn’t shift.

About a month later she finally shifted back, but her body was too weak and could not heal and she passed away a week later, in her bed, the night of my 16th birthday. I cried for weeks. Lika already found her mate, Lukas. Lukas found her in the woods the night she shifted. He brought her to the house and stayed there with her until she died. He mated her and marked her, right after she shifted back, but her body was too weak, even with the mark of Lukas.

Lukas is now staying in our house and mom accepted him as a son. I can hear him cry every night in her bedroom. When a wolf loses their mate, they slowly die unless they can find a replacement mate, but the next imprinting is not so easy. Your wolf yearns for your old mate literally until you have s*x with the new mate. I sort of hoped he’d become Alpha but because I am next line, I am the Alpha now.

Today not even the intoxicating scent could help me feel better. I see Lucian run up to me as I lean against my locker. He looks so goofy. He gives me an once over and his face drops.

“Fabian, I am sorry man I totally forgot about Lika.” He is a good friend, it is kinda cool that we share a birthday, he’s 2 minutes older than me and Father already agreed he’ll be a good Beta. I really wanted him to be there tonight.

“Luce it’s cool man,” I try my best to be happier. “Are you excited for the party our moms arranged. Craig wants to come and asked if he could bring Phoebe?” Craig and Phoebe has always been together, almost like they already imprinted. I like Phoebe but if they imprint on other people after they shift that’s going to be awkward. Craig says that he feels a pull towards her and when Lika was still alive she said they will be imprinted as they have real love.

“Am I ever. I have a feeling my mate will be there, and I will make sweet love to her then and there!”

“Dude do you have a filter? You have been nothing but horny since you discovered you have a p***s!” I roll my eyes. Lucian is a gentleman but all he thinks about is s*x. It’s a wonder he got accepted for engineering. I am pretty sure he is always j*********f when he is at home. Wolves cannot have s*x before they have shifted, and it is preferable that the first time they have s*x is with their mate. If a wolf has s*x before they are 18 then he or she can seriously damage the connection to their wolves, and they can end up becoming human.

“Oh yeah man, I got a letter in my post box this morning, it’s addressed to you. I am guessing it’s from the university.”

My eyes grow wide, I gave another postal address to the university, Lucian’s, as my father wouldn’t understand. It’s always about the pack, never about what I want for myself. After Lika died, I wanted to run away from him, besides I can only become Alpha if I find my mate and I am not planning on acting upon any feeling until after I graduate. I don’t want to be Alpha, even Craig knows that.

“Give it here!” I grab at the big envelope in Lucian’s hand and start to run away. I hear Craig approaching us with Phoebe in his hand.

“What the heck is that” He looks curious

“None of your business and don’t tell dad” I threaten him as I  run towards the science class, I pass Phoebe’s friend, the one who got attacked by the wild dog 11 years ago, and the smell of rosemary and lemon hits my nostrils like a drug and I trip and fall.

“Ahhggg, what the f**k?” I get annoyed and look up and see a small hand reaching towards me. I take it and stand up quickly. I look at who it was that helped me. It was Phoebe’s friend. She has green eyes and straight brown her. She looks mortified.

“I’m sorry did I trip you?” she asks melodically. Why is her voice so strange? I feel my pants grow tight. I gasp. What the f**k is this? I have never felt this way.

“Uh, no, I think I tripped over my foot.” She giggles, and hands me the envelope I had in my hand earlier. I forgot about that.

“Good school,” She says

“What?” I am genuinely confused. What is wrong with you Blackwood?

“The university, your envelope. University of Almeria. It’s a good school.” She points to my envelope.

Finally I click, “Yes, I am hoping for good news.”

I turn and walk away. What the actual f**k, Blackwood? Fine I’ll go for a run this afternoon.

Eleanor

My side is paining extremely today. I hate it when it happens. My mom dismisses as a period but I haven’t started getting those yet, but I am too scared to tell her. I don’t actually know what will happen, but hell she can be a bit annoying, ever since I got bit 11 years ago. I am in my own world. I like listening to music when I go to school in the mornings. I am looking for Phoebe and Craig when I hear boof and something hits my foot. I turn to see Craig’s older brother on the floor. Oh f**k, did I just walk into him.

I hurriedly pick up the envelope on the floor, put my music on pause, and put out my hand to help him get up.

“Aahhggg, what the f**k?” His voice sounds like chocolate. Ellie! You tripped him. You i***t! He grabs my hand and quickly stand up.

“I’m sorry did I trip you?” I tried my best to sound apologetic. Fabian always scared me, but I can’t say I know why.

“Uh, no, I think I tripped over my foot.” That sounds funny and I start to giggle. I look at the envelope and notice the stationary. University of Almeria, printed in Gold Leaf in the corner. Before I could stop myself, I blurt “Good school.”

“What?” he looks puzzled.

Instead of just walking away I actually explain myself and point to the envelope now in his hand. “The university, your envelope. University of Almeria, it’s a good school.” Ellie, are you mad???

“Yes, I am hoping for good news.” And he turns and walks away.

Okay that was weird. I suddenly feel cold. Nevermind. I continue my search for Phoebe and Craig. Why are they always together? They are so weird. I find them and I see Lucian standing there and I look at him as I approach them. Man, what is it with the boys in the estate? Why are they all so hot? Lucian’s light brown skin looks like a good cup of coffee in the early morning and his dark brown hair and blue eyes can intoxicate any girl.

Phoebe turns around and runs to me “Hey El!” and basically jumps me.

“Phoebe Black can you please get off me. If I break my ankle now, I am not going to compete ever!” I have been waiting forever to get a spot in the National figure skating league. I have been invited to audition and a broken ankle will just ruin it.

“I keep forgetting! You are a cheerleader, figure skater and f*****g hot. If Craig wasn’t so in love with me, I would hate you cuz you would probably just steal him.” I can see Craig looking at Phoebe’s ass. He is so old school, marry before having s*x he always exclaims at the most random times, but when I see him looking at her, he is practically drooling. I start laughing.

“I highly doubt it. I think he regrets saying you should wait for marriage.”

“He does, but I do give a good blow job” Phoebe winks at me.

“Ew man, I did not need to know that.” I scrunch my nose.

“Almost like I can feel her Donna joins the conversation.

“Hey, what did you do to poor Fabian, he looks traumatized after you knocked him down.” She says.

“You saw that, huh?” f**k I am embarrassed.

Lucian and craig moves to our little circle.

“Oh, Craig your brother mentioned you want to come to our Party tonight. Yes, you can come! In fact, it’ll be a good distraction for you, too.” Lucian says. I suddenly remember 2 years ago Craig and Fabian’s older sister died on Fabian’s birthday. Craig was out of it for weeks. Phoebe was also out of sorts worrying about Craig I suppose. I look at Craig trying to read his expression.

“Donna, I would be honoured if you could be there as well.” Lucian says. Donna rolled her eyes. Lucian has been flirting with her since pre-school, but she has no patience for him. I can honestly see why Lucian would be in love with her. Her jet-black hair and dark skin and black eyes can make even straight girls drool.

“Fine only if Eleanor can come.” She says bored. I always suspected she likes him but just tries to hide it.

Almost like Lucian realises I am there, “Yeah, sure, bring Tyler as well.” He looks at me questioningly as Craig hits him.

Ty and I had a fall out about a year ago. He assumed I had feelings for him and invited me for a movie. I was oblivious as always, and assumed it was just as friends. When I got there, he gave me a daisy and a chocolate. That is when things got awkward, he tried to kiss me and I hit him the stomach telling him to stop. He became furious and yelled at me for being a tease, and a slut. Thankfully, Craig and Phoebe also came to watch a movie and spotted the debacle and came to my rescue. I haven’t spoken to Ty since then. Craig only speaks to him at Cricket practice, and he apparently still calls me a tease.

“Thank you, Lucian.” I have never really spoken to Lucian since pre-school and went to Craig’s house to play. Lucian was a fool, but nice to look at.

“I’ll pick you ladies up on my way home after swimming practice.” He looked at Donna. She just looked at me and jumped in excitement.

“Yay dress up at El’s house!” When were about 7 or 8, Phoebe, Donna and I would always play dress up and pretend we are going out. We would swop clothes and go to weddings and grand balls. Man, I miss those days.

“Uh-uh guys, I have skating this afternoon. My audition is in 2 weeks, I need the practice.” I cried.

“Oh my word you f*****g weirdo, you go skating every morning and afternoon. Don’t you think you know that routine off by heart?” Phoebe was annoyed. Ever since I started therapy about 2 weeks after the bite, I blew her off and when I started skating, I blew her off even more. I loved skating. I even joined the cheerleading squad and gymnastics team just to stay flexible and fit. I could skip one afternoon.

“Fine, but if I lose the spot, I blame this on you guys.” I am annoyed, skating is my scape goat for my feelings. I notice Lucian looks at me puzzled.

“Deal! I’ll have my mom pick us up some dresses from the store on her way home.” Donna squealed in excitement.

“f**k no, I have enough clothes in my closet, besides, I can’t afford a new dress.” I hate it when they do this. They all live in the estate and have a lot of money, and all my stuff are thrifty or borrowed.

“Who said you are buying? We haven’t hanged with you in a while, and we are so happy about that, that we are buying your friendship with a new dress.” Phoebe is so serious. The bell rings and we wave goodbye to each other. I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I turn to see Lucian.

“You skate?” he asks quizzically

“Uh yeah. Been doing it since I was 6, why?” I asked. I’m getting anxious now, class is about to start.

“Nothing.” And he turns to leave.

What was that? And I run to maths. Mrs Simon will kill me if I am a minute late.

Fabian

Finally in the safety of my Science class. Ms Abrahams, my science teacher, she’s human, but her fiancé is a wolf. She was Lika’s best friend, after Lika died she gave up studying Science and became a teacher. She was a kid genius and graduated high school at 15. Lika told her about werewolves just before she shifted, so she could understand all the things that were going to happen (or should have happened). I like Ms Abrahams. She met Mr Freewood right after returning from university and he imprinted on her right here in this classroom. It was a funny scene actually. One afternoon after school I was staying behind for extra credit work. I watched the entire spectacle. I knew what was going on the minute he sauntered in as I could smell him and when a wolf is going through the imprinting process they smell a little funny, almost like they just had s*x. He walked in the classroom with such determination and just kissed her. When he let her go Ms Abrahams just looked petrified. He was a football player when they were at school and use to tease her about her glasses, now he was an architect, and repenting for his actions in high school toward her. I started laughing. She looked at me and Mr Freeman was suddenly embarrassed. Al he could muster was “she smells like doughnuts”. I told him she’s a human but knows about werewolves. I had to explain to her that he imprinted. The rest was history. Apparently, he is going to turn her soon after they get officially married. He wanted to turn her there and then and mate her, but she is very old school and wants to get married first and knowing wolves that must drive him nuts.

“Yoh pretty boy, are you going to leave me in suspense or are you going to open the envelope,”

“Yes!” I tear it open and pull out a stack of papers. And I read the top letter out loud.

Dear Mr Blackwood,

It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted to the University of Almeria. I am pleased to say that you have been accepted into the study of medicine and we would like to invite you to our exclusive early access programme….

I stop reading and run to hug Ms Abrahams. We start jumping and sing Lika’s favourite song. She has become like a sister for Craig and I, after Lika.

“Fabian, you did it!” She says excitedly.

“Yeah!” I am in such a state of euphoria I almost forgot what today was. But remembering that Lika wasn’t here to celebrate made me cry. Ms Abrahams just gave me a hug. About a minute later the bell rang and I had to rush to English.

“Bye Ms, see you in Science” I say over my shoulder as I rush out of her class.

“You have to start calling me Lottie at some point” She yells after me.